John Shrewsbury & Janet Walker, Genwealth Financial Advisors
College: Janet – University of Central Arkansas ›› John – Southern Arkansas University
Years in the Industry: Janet – 11 ›› John – 23
612 West Commerce Drive, Suite 2, Bryant ›› 501.653.7355
janet@getreadyforthefuture.com ›› john@getreadyforthefuture.com
››Why did you choose to get into financial advising?
We saw the need for clients to have a financial strategy rather than to just be sold investment products. We also felt there was a great need for advisors to have a fiduciary relationship with their clients. Furthermore, the movement of the boomer generation to retirement presented a great opportunity for us.
››What sets yours apart from other firms?
Our focus is on retirement income planning, which is a discipline that most advisory firms have yet to take on. Most of our industry is focused on trying to build wealth through trading “the hot tip of the day.” Our firm specializes in holistic financial planning to maintain and grow wealth, then converting it into income during retirement; it’s what we call “paycheck replacement.” Educating our clients is also a cornerstone of our business through our radio shows, workshops and seminars.
››What do you like best about your job?
We love interacting with our clients and future clients through speaking engagements like our “Income for Life” workshops and other educational events we host throughout the year, and on the Get Ready for the Future show on Saturdays on 103.7 the Buzz and KARN. Soon we will do that even more through our GetReadyForTheFuture.com website and social media like Facebook.
››Do you have a niche clientele?
Typically, we work with affluent people on the threshold of retirement, or someone who is already retired but realizes they need a retirement income strategy. Our clients are wise enough to have accumulated significant wealth for retirement, and are also smart enough to know that just because they made the money doesn’t mean they have the expertise to manage it.
››What makes your customer service outstanding?
We take ownership of every client’s case, every service issue, and every goal. We go to great lengths to see that each client not only has the best plan we can provide them, but that they understand it and that it’s implemented properly. We believe we separate ourselves from other firms by our monitoring and caretaking of a client’s plan.
››What’s your investment philosophy?
We believe near-term needs should be addressed by conservative investments and long-term needs dealt with through growth-oriented investments. This is the heart of the Income for Life model we have pioneered in the state of Arkansas. Each client is different and that’s why we customize personal portfolios, addressing not only market risk, but inflation and longevity risks as well.
Best financial advice you’ve ever been given?
Investments don’t make people wealthy; people make themselves wealthy. The most important variable in your investment quest is the only variable you ultimately control: your own behavior. –Nick Murray